Acids To Look For in Your Skincare Products

When it comes to an ingredient that includes the term “acid,” there’s a good chance that, at some point, you were fearful of it coming in contact with your skin until you realized that not all ingredients that are labeled as such are bad for you. Certain acids could be quite beneficial, but it does, of course, vary from one person to the next considering each person is different as is the condition of their skin. Whether you have acne, you’re worried about aging, or it’s another skin issue entirely, the following could be beneficial to look into.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Alpha Hydroxy Acid, also referred to as AHA, is found in foods and you’ve likely come across it multiple times on skincare product labels. Essentially AHAs allow you to better remove dead skin cells to reveal younger, healthier, fresher-looking skin underneath. Some of the biggest benefits include that it could help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, that it can help your skin better absorb any good-for-you products that you put on it, and it may help improve texture and skin tone. When you’re reading the labels on your skincare products, you’ll want to look for ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that can be found in foods such as liver, potatoes, and broccoli. One of the biggest benefits of alpha-lipoic acid is that it’s said to be quite beneficial for reducing inflammation but it’s known for being able to regenerate other antioxidants (like Vitamin E). In addition to obtaining it from food, you can also apply it topically or take it via a supplement.

Beta Hydroxy Acid
Referred to as BHA, you’ll often notice Beta Hydroxy Acid mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned AHA. Chances are you’re already familiar with salicylic acid which is the more common name for BHA. It’s a versatile ingredient, but it’s primarily used to help with acne and oily skin, especially thanks to its anti-bacterial properties.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, sometimes referred to as HA, is a humectant that is naturally found in the body and helps to keep skin moisturized and younger-looking. It’s most famously known for being able to retain more than 1,000 times its weight in water. HA may also help improve the look and feel of the skin by making it look and feel softer and smoother, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and more. Considering our ability to produce HA decreases as we get older, there are numerous options, such as dermal fillers and topicals, that could prove beneficial.

Everyone’s skin is different, so what might be right for you might not be a good idea for someone else to use. If you are having any particular skin concerns or needs and you feel you’ve already done all you can do but you’re still not getting the results you want, the best next step is to make an appointment with your dermatologist who could provide you with tailored advice and recommendations.